Are you to treat with a man who talks of the masses at Alexandria as "the flock whom the King of kings has committed to his rule and care"?
Does your excellency, or this proud bishop, govern Alexandria ?' 'Really, my dear lady, I have given up inquiring.' 'But he has not.

He comes to you as a person possessing an absolute authority over two-thirds of the population, which he does not scruple to hint to you is derived from a higher source than your own.

The consequence is clear.

If it be from a higher source than yours, of course it ought to control yours'; and you will confess that it ought to control it--you will acknowledge the root and ground of every extravagant claim which he makes, if you deign to reply.' 'But I must say something, or I shall be pelted in the streets.

You philosophers, however raised above your own bodies you may be, must really not forget that we poor worldlings have bones to be broken.' 'Then tell him, and by word of mouth merely, that as the information which he sends you comes from his private knowledge and concerns not him as bishop, but you as magistrate, you can only take it into consideration when he addresses you as a private person, laying a regular information at your tribunal.' 'Charming! queen of diplomatists as well as philosophers! I go to obey you.